Former Rison, Arkansas State, and current Miami Dolphins defensive back Tyrell Johnson will host his first football camp July 20 at his high school alma mater’s stadium.
Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive lineman Kevin Williams, a Fordyce native, is expected to serve as one of the camp instructors.
The camp will begin at 10 a.m. and will be free of charge for any athletes ages 12-18 (seventh-12th grades) who wish to attend.
Johnson holds the Sun Belt Conference career records for most tackles (363) and most interception returns yards (309), as he also established league records for most yards gained on interception returns in a season (142 in 2007) and most tackles in a game (25 vs. North Texas, 2005).
“I’m going into my fifth year in the NFL, and it is just time to get something going like this in my hometown,” Johnson told RedWolfReport.com and ArkansasVarsity.com. “I just want to give back to the kids, and maybe help train them and teach them about some of the opportunities that I had.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Johnson has a good group of former collegiate players, in addition to several active NFL players who will help run the camp. Camp coaches include Johnson, Williams, Rison coach Clay Totty, former Arkansas State players Shermar Bracy, Marcus Brown, Darren Toney, Patrick Higgins, Eddie Walker and Terrence Chavis; Kevin Payne, Madieu Williams and Deverett Wade.
“All of these guys have worked hard and done positive things in their lives,” Johnson added. “That is one of the main things I want the kids to see, that you can work hard, do big things in life, and be positive role models for other kids later down the road.”
Johnson was recently picked up by the Dolphins after playing four years with the Vikings. He also gave his thoughts on how things are going in Miami so far.
“There is a lot of competition,” said Johnson. “It’s not easy. We have some of the best guys in the NFL at every position on our team. All of the guys are very athletic. I’m just trying to find my niche and separate myself with hard work so I can compete for a spot on the team.”